Navigating through life on the autistic spectrum is quite hard, especially for adults. When a young adult reaches the threshold of independence, a personal residence isn’t just about privacy but about independence and dignity. Understanding their special child’s needs, a West Virginia family decided to rewrite the blueprint for his future. By creating a tiny house for him in their own backyard, the parents created a vital middle ground that respects his independence while still maintaining the thread of family connection.
It’s been over a year now that the 21-year-old West Virginia resident Bobby has been living in the tiny house with train-themed motifs here and there. When his parents designed and got the tiny house custom-made and delivered on location, the goal was for it to correspond to their house. The tiny house also has a caboose from an actual train that they had taken Bobby to ride twice when he was younger. Bobby’s love for his red shirts gave the idea to paint his house red, too.
They found a ‘Train Tickets’ sign on Amazon that they put right above the entrance. They also found handrails and ladders and used them to give the exterior of the house the soul of a train. Putting solar light in the barn elevated the loo while adding to the aesthetics of Bobby’s little yard. The staircase is cutesy and brown, although they plan to eventually paint it black to match the door and the railing.
Upon entering the house, the bathroom sits to the right, equipped with a vanity sink, a toilet, and a shower. The bathroom window adds to the natural lighting. Just straight from the entrance is the living room, which has a sofa with storage options that help him relax and store his essentials. Opposite the sofa is a desk with a chair for Bobby’s productive sessions.
Also Read: Une Maxi Tiny House Includes Giant L-Shaped Covered Patio to Merge Indoor-Outdoor Living
The living room hides the kitchen, equipped with a microwave, fridge, sink, and cabinets and shelves to keep all his needed groceries. It has no oven or cooktop for safety reasons. A partial wall next to the sofa with hooks for his clothes separates the living room from the bedroom. Right next to the living room is the cozy section of the house featuring a single bed and a ceiling fan.
When Bobby steps out of the bedroom, he gets a deck of his own that lets him breathe and enjoy his alone time in peace. This tiny house has proved to be a blessing for Bobby and his parents as well. Since he moved to his own place, his anger and anxiety levels have decreased, and his eating habits have improved. The tiny house empowers Bobby to learn and grow.
Rather than adapting special needs people to the existing space, why not carve out new space that adapts to them to help them flourish and grow?
Via: Upworthy
